girls who are at risk of being subjected to harmful practices or all other forms of violence, abuse and intolerance.  Mariage and separation (Article 6 and 7): The minimum age of marriage for women is 18 years; a married woman has the same rights as the man with respect to the nationality and responsibility towards their children, and in case of separation, divorce, and annulation of marriage.  Access to justice and equal protection before the law (Article 8): States shall ensure effective access by women to judicial and legal services; that law enforcement organs at all levels are equipped to effectively interpret and enforce gender equality rights; the reform of existing discriminatory laws and practices.  Participation in the Political and Decision-Making Process (Article 9): States Parties shall take specific positive action to promote participative governance and the equal participation of women in the political life of their countries  Right to education and Training (Article 12) States shall guarantee equal opportunity and access in the sphere of education and training.  Economic and social welfare rights (Article 13) States are committed to promote and support the occupations and economic activities of women, in particular, within the informal sector  Health and Reproductive Rights (Article 14) States shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the access by women to adequate, affordable and accessible health services, including information, education and communication programmes to women especially those in rural areas; protect the reproductive rights of women by authorising medical abortion  Right to Food Security (Article 15) States provide women with access to healthy food, clean drinking water, sources of domestic fuel, land, and the means of producing nutritious food;  Specific measures for widows, elderly women, women with disabilities and women in distress (Articles 20 to 24) States shall ensure the protection of poor women, women heads of families, women from marginalised population groups, and provide them an environment suitable to their condition and their special physical, economic and social needs. 3. Specific challenges that women belonging to minorities face Minorities/Indigenous Peoples The interchangeable use of denominations like “Pygmy”, “indigenous” and “minority” is common to most countries in Central Africa, both in policies and discourses. National legislations rather use “Pygmy” and